Jackery Reviews: The Explorer 160 vs 240 vs 300 vs 500 vs 1000

Last Updated on July 21, 2023 by Rod Olivares

Jackery is one of the leading manufacturers of portable power stations in the U.S. It’s known for its innovative outdoor energy solutions. Jackery offers many portable power stations with a range of sizes and capacities, most of which can hold a charge for six months. These portable solar generators are a great, much quieter, alternative to gas generators.

A portable power station is a rechargeable generator, powered by a lithium battery. While normal generators rely on fuel, portable power stations are much more eco-friendly, as they rely on rechargeable batteries instead. All Jackery products are quipped with AC outlet, USB charging ports, and a DC carport, so you can easily charge different equipment and accessories. From tablets, smartphones, and laptops, to small appliances such as fans, electric blankets, and small refrigerators, Jackery is compatible with all of these options.

You can also use Jackery Explorer units indoors, which is one distinct advantage these products have over traditional fuel-powered generators. Indoor use potentiality is also particularly useful if you need it for emergency power during an outage. You can simply store your generator inside and start it up right away should the electricity go out.

Here, we’ll compare some of the best Jackery portable power station options from its enduringly popular Explorer range. We’ll start by looking at some of the smaller units. Then, we will move on to the large portable charger giants, including the Jackery Explorer 500 and 1000.

Read on to find out how these Jackery products compare with one another, and how to choose a portable charger that’s right for you!

Jackery Explorer 160

Check out my full review of the Jackery 160.

The Jackery 160 is the smallest, lightest, and most budget-friendly option in the Jackery Explorer range. It offers reliable portable charging capacity for a number of electronics and devices, making it a great option for camping or hiking excursions.

This Jackery portable charger provides 167 watt-hours of energy, and can be charged from a generator, wall socket, carport, or compatible solar panel. Alongside ample charging for small devices, it features an LCD screen display panel, allowing you to monitor battery operating status, and a built-in flashlight with SOS function.

Key Features

• 167 watt-hour rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack
• 1 AC output (100W continuous, 150W peak)
• 1 DC output (12V/7A)
• 1 USB Type-C port (5V/3A)
• 2 USB Type-A connectors (5V/2.4A)
• Recharge from AC wall outlet, 12V car outlet or solar panel (optional)
• LCD display screen
• Full recharge in 5 hours (8-10 using solar panels)

Weight

If you’re looking for a lightweight Jackery charger, this is a great option. Weighing in at just 3.7lbs, you’ll have difficulty finding a competing product of the same size with so much capacity.

Charging Capacity

Despite its small size, you’ll still get a lot of charging capacity from the Jackery 160. Here are some approximate charging/powering times you’ll get from the 160 once the unit is fully charged:

• Smartphone: 12+ charges
• Digital Camera:20+ charges
• Tablet: 5+ charges
• Laptop: 2+ charges
• Mini Fridge: 3+ hours
• USB mini fan: 26+ hours
• Drone: 2+ charges

Do note that this portable power station is designed to work with small devices. The devices it is able to charge/power is limited to 100W continuous, 150W peak. In other words, the rated input power of any device you use with the Jackery 160 should not be higher than 100W.

Pros

• Easy-to-use, high-quality portable power station.
• Built-in flashlight and SOS function is a useful additional feature.
• Small and lightweight, so carry-friendly and perfect for trips as it would fit in a hiking bag.
• Excellent value for money.

Cons

• Cannot power devices operating above 100-watts.
• Only has 1 AC outlet.
• Doesn’t offer multi-charge capacity, unlike some of the larger devices in the Explorer range.

Verdict

If you need a durable, well-made portable power station for your next road trip or camping getaway, you can’t go wrong with the Jackery Explorer 160. It’s small, easy-to-use, and offers great charging capacity for small everyday devices like your phone or tablet.

While you won’t be able to run anything more powerful from it, like an electric grill or CPAP machine, it’s a reliable option for recharging your small appliances. This is a great choice for individual capers or climbers, who need a simple recharging device on their next outing.

In case you’re interested in a regular 240 volt generator, checkout these 10 best 240v inverter generators that include some of the latest tech.

Jackery Explorer 240

Check out my full review of the Jackery 240.

Next we come to the Jackery Explorer 240, which offers more capacity than the 160. This 6.6lb portable power station comes equipped with a range powering options, including AC outlet, two USB ports, as well as a 12V DC car output. Like all Jackery products, it’s well made and comes with a 2-year manufactures warranty.

This portable power station is designed for life on-the-go. It would be a handy addition to your kit for car, RV or camping excursions. It offers enough power to run a CPAP machine, so it would be a great option for those who require one on overnight trips.

Key Features

• 240 watt-hour (16.8Ah) rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack
• 2 USB ports
• AC power outlet
• 12V car output
• LCD display panel
• Optional use with 60W solar panel for sustainable power
• Recharge from AC wall outlet, 12V car outlet or solar panel (optional)
• Pure Sine Wave Technology to give you safe power
• Full recharge in 8 hours

Weight

Still a fantastic option for those living the outdoor lifestyle, this is a portable, lightweight, and fairly compact power station. It travels well due to its weight of just 6.6 lbs.

Charging Capacity

As a more powerful unit than the Jackery 160, you get a decent amount of charging capacity from what is still a relatively small and compact portable power station. A fully-charged Jackery 240 battery will offer the following charging/power capacity:

• Smartphone: 17+ charges
• Digital camera: 30+ charges
• Tablet: 14+ charges
• Laptop: 4+ charges
• Mini Fridge: 3+ hours
• USB mini fan: 40+ hours
• Drone: 4+ charges

The rated input power of any device plugged in to the Jackery 240 should not exceed 200W. The devices it powers is limited to 200W Continuous, 400W Peak. This means that the rated input power of your devices should be no more than 200W.

Pros

• High-quality, easy-to-use Jackery product with 2 year guarantee.
• Sine wave technology for safe power.
• Lightweight but robust design, perfect for holidays, camping, or hiking.
• Solar panel compatibility for sustainable power wherever you are.

Cons

• Longer recharge time in comparison to other models in the Explorer range.
• Doesn’t offer a great deal more power for the price tag in comparison to the Jackery 160.
• Older model
• No USB-C port

Verdict

The 240 is a solid portable power station, offering you plenty of options for charging and powering small devices and appliances. it’s a popular choice for those who require CPAP machines. It’s small enough not to add much weight or bulk to camping gear, but strong enough to power the machine overnight.

You can’t power anything with an input power over 200-watts, so it doesn’t offer you a great deal of additional options in comparison to the 160 (apart from CPAP machine). If you only require the portable power station for your small, everyday devices, the 160 might be a more affordable and lightweight option.

Either way, this is a high-quality piece of kit, and we’d recommend it to anyone who requires a small but robust portable charger. I wouldn’t pick the 240 if you need a USB-C port however, as an older model, it doesn’t include one. Check out the 300 for a USB-C port.

Jackery Explorer 300

Check out my full review of the Jackery 300.

The Jackery 300 is a robust but compact power station, suitable for camping trips or for use in a power outage. This Jackery power bar has 293Wh power capacity, suitable for charging and/or running a range of small appliances. This model is distinct from the two we’ve looked at already, as it introduces a new element: multi-device charging. With the Jackery Explorer 300, you can charge as many as 6 smart devices at once.

You’ll also find all the regular features of Jackery devices, including multiple output ports, the option to recharge the device 3 ways, as well as a handy LCD panel to monitor charging process and battery life.

Key Features

• 293 watt-hour (46.4Ah) lithium battery
• 2 x AC port (300W)
• Quick Charge 3.0 port
• 60W USB C power delivery port
• Additional USB-A and USB port
• 12V car output port
• LCD panel
• Recharge from AC wall outlet, 12V car outlet or solar panel (optional)
• Pure sine wave inverter to protect sensitive devices.
• Full recharge in 4.5 hours

Weight

A surprisingly light unit, the 300 weighs only 7.1lbs. Even though it’s more powerful than the 160 and 240, this is still a lightweight and compact portable power station.

Charging Capacity

The Explorer 300 offers the following charging capacity (times approximate):

• Smartphone: 30 charges
• Digital camera: 54 charges
• Laptop: 4+ charges
• Mini Fridge: 20 hours
• TV: 4.5 hours
• 20W Fan: 15 hours
• Drone: 5.5 charges

You’ll notice we’ve included some different devices in our charging capacity list – that’s because with the greater power output offered by the Explorer 300, you can run more powerful devices such as a television. Do note that total rated wattage should always be under 300w when using this power station.

Pros

• Great quality, carry-freindly portable charger with excellent capacity.
• Allows you to charge multiple devices at the same time.
• Speedy recharge time.
• Sine wave technology for safe power.
• The addition of MPPT technology provides faster solar recharge rates when used with solar panels.

Cons

• It’s a bulkier unit than some of the other options on the list, but still lightweight and portable.
• Great potential for solar generator system, but solar panels sold separately (increasing cost significantly).

Verdict

If you want a lithium portable power station with multi-charging capacity, the Jackery 300 is a strong choice. It offers you enough power to run devices of up to 300W, so it’s a great option for outdoor vacations, as well as an emergency power back-up. A major bonus is the faster recharge rate, as well as the capability to charge 6 devices at once.

While most Jackery Explorer portable power station units are compatible with solar panels, it’s really worth it when it comes to the 300 model. That’s because it has MPPT technology, making the solar recharge much quicker. It’s definitely a suitable portable power station for those wanting to create a solar generator.

The Jackery 300 is probably my favorite model of the line-up. It’s quite small but still has a large Wh capacity. It really punches above its weight. This is my go-to power station to bring to the coffee shop with my laptop.

Jackery Explorer 500

Check out my full review of the Jackery 500.

The Jackery Explorer 500 is a 518 watt-hour lithium battery power station. It’s one of the lightest rechargeable battery generators of this capacity available. It features a highly durable Li-ion NMC battery, and does not require much maintenance.

The Jackery Explorer 500 is a versatile generator, featuring multiple connections that enable you to charge all of your mainstream devices at once, plus more! Use it indoors in your apartment for emergency power outages, or take it outside with you for hiking, camping, tailgating, or backyard power.

Key Features

• 518 watt-hour rechargeable lithium battery.
• 12V car output port
• 3 USB A ports
• AC outlet
• LCD panel
• Recharge from AC wall outlet, 12V car output or solar panel (optional)
• Built-in LED flashlight with SOS mode
• Full recharge 7.5 Hours (AC)
• Full solar recharge 9.5 Hours (Using Saga 100W panel)

Weight

The Jackery Explorer 500 weighs only 13.32 lbs, making it incredibly lightweight for a generator of this capacity. Like other Jackery Explorer models, it also features an easy-carry handle to making moving it around easy.

Charging Capacity

As you’d expect from a 518Wh unit, the Jackery Explorer 500 has excellent battery capacity. Here are some rough guidelines for what you can expect from this Explorer 500 in terms of charging capacity:

• Smartphone: 34+ charges
• Tablet: 28+ charges
• Digital Camera: 60+ charges
• Laptops: 7+ charges
• Mini Fridge: 8+ hours
• Drones: 6+ charges
• USB Mini Fan: 40+ hours

As you can see, the battery life on this unit offers you an impressive amount of charging and powering time. The Jackery Explorer 500 should not be used for devices with a rated input power of more than 500W.

Pros

• Excellent battery life and a wide range of charging options (USB, AC power output, etc.), suitable to power numbers devices.
• Compact size.
• High-quality, durable materials in terms of construction and battery.
• The addition of MPPT technology provides faster solar recharge rates when used with solar panel system.
• Offers dependable power in the event of a power outage.
• Jackery Explorer 500 is good value for money, and should suit most outdoor lifestyle energy needs.

Cons

• Longer recharge time.
• Only 1 AC outlet

Verdict

If you need a good amount of capacity and can’t afford the 1000, the Jackery Explorer 500 is an option. I don’t recommend it however. It has no USB-C port, and is an older model.

One thing we were slightly disappointed with was the longer recharge time, and it’s worth noting that the Explorer 1000 (which offers double the capacity) only takes 30 minutes longer for full recharge.

However, the Jackery Explorer 500 has a lot of potential for solar energy. The only downside to this is that the solar panel kits are sold separately, so it will cost you a few hundred dollars to get your system set up.

Jackery Explorer 1000

Check out my full review of the Jackery 1000.

Finally, we come to the Jackery 1000. It has double the capacity of the Jackery Explorer 500, making it the biggest and most powerful Jackery power station on the market – perfect if the lights go out in your apartment or at home for a few hours. In fact, it’s one of the most powerful portable power stations around, period. Offering 1002 watt-hour capacity, 1000W rated power, this unit offers incredible battery capacity. It can easily meet the power supply requirements of the majority of electrical appliances.

Like the Jackery Explorer 500, you could give yourself total off-grid power with this unit. It’s one of the best choices for use with solar power, because it has MPPT built-in (again, like Explorer 500). This portable power is capable of being the primary source of power generation for an RV holiday.

Key Features

• 1002Wh(46.4Ah) lithium battery, (1000W Rated Power/ 2000W Surge Power)
• 1 DC carport
• 3 AC outlets
• 2 USB-C ports
• 2 USB ports
• Solar charging with MPPT built-in makes it ideal to use as a solar generator.
• LCD screen featuring charging percentages and battery life
• Easy-carry handle.
• Full recharge in 7 hours (using AC output)
• Full solar recharge in 8 hours (when used with SolarSaga panels)

Weight

As it offers the most capacity, it’s unsurprising that the Explorer 1000 is the heaviest option featured in this list. Still, ior a 1002Wh portable power station, it’s hard to believe that the Jackery Explorer 1000 weighs only 22lbs. It’s nearly double the weight of the Jackery Explorer 500, so if you’re looking for a portable option that you’re going to have to carry a long distance, it’s worth bearing the weight difference in mind.

Charging Capacity

Charing capacity with this product is some of the best you’ll find in any portable charging device. Here is the rough guide for the kind of charging capacity you can expect:

• Smartphone: 100+ charges
• TV: 14+ Hours
• Car Fridge: 66+ Hours
• Digital Camera: 180+ charges
• Laptop: 12+ charges
• Drone: 17+ charges
• Blender: 13+ hours

As you can see, you get more than double the capacity of the Explorer 500. While the Explorer 500 is a much more affordable option, you get a lot more bang for your buck with the newer Explorer 1000 in terms of capacity. Do note that for the Jackery 1000, AC output ports can only charge devices that operate at less than 1000-Watts, so if in doubt, check your appliances.

Pros

• One of the best, most powerful rechargeable lithium battery generators on the market.
• Quick charging time for this capacity.
• Includes all of the features of the 500, plus more.
• You could go totally off-grid and still be able to power everything you need (communication devices, camera, computers, CPAP, electric grill, etc.).
• Relatively compact and easy to move for a generator of this capacity when compared to similar products.
• Highly competitive price.

Cons

• Most expensive purchase price of all Jackery products.
• Much heavier than the other products listed here, so not suited to individual hikers or campers.

Verdict

For dependable power outdoors for large events or parties, the Jackery Explorer 1000 is the go-to choice. If you’re looking for a large battery generator and considering the Jackery Explorer 500 or 1000, we think that 1000 is worth the extra cash for the sheer capacity and durability it offers. It also has more USB points, power outlets, and recharging options than the Jackery Explorer 500.

Do note that this is not a great option for singular climbers or campers, as it is more cumbersome and heavy than some of the lighter devices listed here. It would, however, make a great choice for a permanent outdoor setup or in an RV setup.

I love my Jackery 1,000 and used it to power a portable freezer for a two-week trip around Oregon. It’s not too heavy, quiet, and still has a great amount of power output and capacity. It and the EcoFlow Delta 1300 are my two favorite battery-powered generators.

FAQs

Now that we’ve looked in detail at the five main Jackery Explorer products, we’ll answer some common questions about Jackery portable chargers.

Why should I buy a portable power station?

Portable power stations do exactly what they say on the tin: offer you portable power to charge or run a range of devices and appliances wherever you are. If you’re frequently on the go, or love the outdoor lifestyle, a portable power station would mean your phone will never go flat. You can use lighting and electrical devices all while enjoying the great outdoors.

Jackery Explorer power stations make a great choice. This is a dependable company with an excellent reputation for producing high-quality solutions for power outdoors.

What size portable power station do I need?

This really depends on what you intend to use your power station for. Decide whether you want to use your battery generator just for charging phone and tablets, or whether you need it to run more powerful appliances.

Also, consider the amount of charge time each model offers when fully charged to help you decide which is most suitable. The Jackery Explorer 500 and 1000 are extremely powerful battery generators, while the 160, and 240 are affordable options for short trips and hikes.

Those who want a small device, but need to run a CPAP machine while on a camping holiday must make sure they choose an appropriate wattage level. Anything from the Jackery Explorer 300 or above is a suitable choice.

Do Jackery Explorer generators make noise?

Basically none! Some limited fan noise, but not anything close to a traditional gas generator. With Jackery Explorer products, you don’t have to worry about having a noisy generator in the background, because they don’t use fuel. Instead, they are powered by rechargeable battery packs, making them virtually silent.

Is Jackery a reputable company?

Jackery is known as a leading business in the world of portable power stations. The Jackery Explorer range is an enduringly popular product line, thanks to the quality of the equipment combined with competitive pricing.

Online customer reviews suggest that Jackery offers excellent customer service, as well as fair warranties and guarantees on their products. If you have found any issues with your Jackery product, you should contact their customer service support desk.

Are solar panels included with any Jackery Explorer power station?

No. Jackery power stations are all sold as standalone products, so you’ll need to buy your panels separately in order to create a solar generator. You can buy solar panels directly from Jackery, but the units are all compatible with panels from other manufacturers, too. The compatible products sold by Jackery (particularly useful for the Explorer 500 and 1000) start from $299.99.

Are these chargers environmentally friendly?

Jackery products don’t use fuel, so there are no carbon emissions associated with these generators. Jackery claims on its website to be committed to crafting outdoor green power solutions.

You will need a source of energy to charge up your power bar, but when Jackery portable power stations are used with solar panels, they become 100% eco-friendly.

Final Verdict

When it comes down to what you should buy, it really depends on your personal needs and requirements. All Jackery units are from a comparable quality and build, meaning that the main choice you have to make should be based on how much power you need. For example:

• If you want a small power station just to charge your phone or tablet, the Jackery Explorer 160 is a suitable – and affordable – option. However, it is the only product that doesn’t feature a pure sine wave inverter.
• If you live in an area that frequently experiences power outages, and you want a safe, capable pack-up power supply, choose the Jackery Explorer 1000. This is also a suitable choice for powering large outdoor parties without the need for a noisy generator.
• The Jackery Explorer 500 and 300 are great mid-range units, offering you plenty of power. Both feature multi-charge capacity, so you can have a number of devices charging at any one time. They also offer longer battery life than the 160 and 240, so definitely opt for one of these if you need the extra charging time. The Explorer 500 is slower to charge, so bear this in mind if a quick recharge rate is important to you.

One of the standouts about Jackery battery generators is that they are all solar compatible, meaning that you can potentially access an unlimited power supply when you connect it up with your panels. If you are choosing the solar route, its probably worth opting for one of the higher capacity generators (like the Explorer 500, 1000, or 300 if you’re considering this on a smaller scale). Although this will cost more, you get much more efficient recharging rates, meaning you’re less likely to run out of power.

Ultimately, we think that all the products featured in this review offer their own unique benefits, as well as their own certain drawbacks. It really comes down to your personal taste and requirements. When making your choice, always consider what your preferences are in regard to weight, battery life, charging capacity, and cost. This will help you make an informed decision, whichever power station you choose to buy.

We hope you’ve found this guide and review useful for comparing and selecting a Jackery portable power station that suits your needs. Whether you’re a camping enthusiast who needs a simple battery generator to keep your phone charged, or are looking for a dependable source of outdoor power for the long-term, there’s a great battery-powered charging product out there in this collection!